Comments on: Gone in 60 seconds (or my one minute of fame on television) http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/ Rantings of a Jesus-loving, raving lunatic Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:48:00 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Greg http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/comment-page-1/#comment-69474 Greg Mon, 26 May 2008 00:17:25 +0000 http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television#comment-69474 Thanks for the encouragment A. Kraemer. Thanks for the encouragment A. Kraemer.

]]> By: A. Kraemer http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/comment-page-1/#comment-69256 A. Kraemer Sat, 24 May 2008 19:42:29 +0000 http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television#comment-69256 Have you ever even played Halo 3? Have you read the books? Because if you have, you completely misinterpreted everything about it. If you even took a cursory look at the story of the Halo series you'd find out that the Master Chief is fighting against a violent, fundamentalist theocratic conglomeration of different alien races. Fundamentalist religion, in short, is the enemy. And you say that you should use Halo as an outreach tool? You are one of the biggest morons on the internet. The fact is, Christianity is being pushed out in many areas by other religions, or more local, secular based approaches to spirituallity. You, my friend, are a dying breed. So have fun over the next several decades as your stupid out-modded religion is reagated to a more and more marginal status. Have you ever even played Halo 3? Have you read the books? Because if you have, you completely misinterpreted everything about it. If you even took a cursory look at the story of the Halo series you’d find out that the Master Chief is fighting against a violent, fundamentalist theocratic conglomeration of different alien races. Fundamentalist religion, in short, is the enemy. And you say that you should use Halo as an outreach tool? You are one of the biggest morons on the internet. The fact is, Christianity is being pushed out in many areas by other religions, or more local, secular based approaches to spirituallity. You, my friend, are a dying breed. So have fun over the next several decades as your stupid out-modded religion is reagated to a more and more marginal status.

]]> By: Skateboards, Paint ball, and God « 5 loaves, 2 fish….did someone say Fish? http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/comment-page-1/#comment-30434 Skateboards, Paint ball, and God « 5 loaves, 2 fish….did someone say Fish? Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:38:53 +0000 http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television#comment-30434 [...] ministry promos..ooops how did that get on there?) I may even have a couch area with one of those controversial video games available to play.  And since there is no youth retail in this town AT ALL, I will not just fill a [...] [...] ministry promos..ooops how did that get on there?) I may even have a couch area with one of those controversial video games available to play.  And since there is no youth retail in this town AT ALL, I will not just fill a [...]

]]> By: Janna - Laurel UMC Montana http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/comment-page-1/#comment-27593 Janna - Laurel UMC Montana Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:57:44 +0000 http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television#comment-27593 The Bible is violent? That’s news to me (wink-wink)! I guess I am going to have to take my Bible out next week and put a giant "M" on it for Mature. Putting an "A" on it reminds me a little too much of the Scarlet Letter and I am sure there is copywriting for that somewhere... I like the phrase "spiritual abyss" because it seems like the teenagers I am working are constantly trying to fill that abyss with ___Fill_in_the_blank___. Like empty carbohydrates they just keep cramming all of these non-filling things into a God shaped hole. The problem I am finding is that I can't just tell my youth that those empty things are a complete waste of time. 1) They view that statement as a sign of disrespect and ignorance. 2) They would look me dead in the face and tell me I don't understand them. I have seen that look before. That is the look that the youth in my community give to people like Rev. Simpson when they say things like "Halo 3" is from the devil (yes, I have actually heard that said to a youth). That look says "Dear man, you have no clue what it's like to live in our world and you don't understand our ways and our language." So, I resolve to find ways to use their technology and their language to reach them. Now, I am only 25 years old, so there is still a small enough gap between my generation and theirs. However, I am not a personal advocate for Halo 3 because any violence (whether digital or not) goes against my belief in peaceful resolution through discussion and prayer. However, if I can share my faith by using topic of Halo 3 to get to the core of my teenagers, I am going to bring it up. Thanks Greg. Sometimes I feel like I am in the deep jungle "hacking away at the leaves of evil" and this has caused me to stop and think about how I am going to start taking swipes at the roots. The Bible is violent? That’s news to me (wink-wink)! I guess I am going to have to take my Bible out next week and put a giant “M” on it for Mature. Putting an “A” on it reminds me a little too much of the Scarlet Letter and I am sure there is copywriting for that somewhere…

I like the phrase “spiritual abyss” because it seems like the teenagers I am working are constantly trying to fill that abyss with ___Fill_in_the_blank___. Like empty carbohydrates they just keep cramming all of these non-filling things into a God shaped hole.

The problem I am finding is that I can’t just tell my youth that those empty things are a complete waste of time. 1) They view that statement as a sign of disrespect and ignorance. 2) They would look me dead in the face and tell me I don’t understand them.
I have seen that look before. That is the look that the youth in my community give to people like Rev. Simpson when they say things like “Halo 3″ is from the devil (yes, I have actually heard that said to a youth). That look says “Dear man, you have no clue what it’s like to live in our world and you don’t understand our ways and our language.”

So, I resolve to find ways to use their technology and their language to reach them. Now, I am only 25 years old, so there is still a small enough gap between my generation and theirs. However, I am not a personal advocate for Halo 3 because any violence (whether digital or not) goes against my belief in peaceful resolution through discussion and prayer. However, if I can share my faith by using topic of Halo 3 to get to the core of my teenagers, I am going to bring it up.

Thanks Greg. Sometimes I feel like I am in the deep jungle “hacking away at the leaves of evil” and this has caused me to stop and think about how I am going to start taking swipes at the roots.

]]> By: Greg http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/comment-page-1/#comment-27507 Greg Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:46:11 +0000 http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television#comment-27507 I would not recommend Halo 3 in the church for the sole reason that it is rated M for mature. But I think Reverend Simpson is off base becuase it is easier to blame the perils of society on a game (or a rock song, or a movie or whatever)than the real problem...a spiritual abyss in their souls. I don't think most kids come into church because they want to play some game. Most come in because of relationships and because they are looking for some kind of meaning. We can use the Halo 3 conversation to connect them with the message of Jesus. I don't judge the churches that use Halo 3 (the game) as an outreach. It seems to be one of those "meat sacrificed to idols" type of situations in Romans 14. But personally if I were a youth leader I don't think I'd do it. But what I would do is engage the subject with teenagers. I'd find as many connection points with the gospel as I could. I think "those types of teenagers" would come to church for a healthy, vigorous discussion over Halo 3. They can play the game at home and have the discussion at church. By the way, the Bible is a very violent book. From Cain and Abel on there is a lot of bloodshed in Scripture. It ends with Jesus coming back and stomping the grapes of wrath himself with the blood of a rebellious humanity, before he establishes everything new. I guess if the Bible were a video game it would be rated "A" for adults only. I think Rev. Simpson is a good, well meaning guy who is sincerely concerned about violence in video games. My big thing is to stop "hacking at the leaves of evil" to take a swipe at the root. If we don't bring it up with our teens we are missing the point big time! I would not recommend Halo 3 in the church for the sole reason that it is rated M for mature. But I think Reverend Simpson is off base becuase it is easier to blame the perils of society on a game (or a rock song, or a movie or whatever)than the real problem…a spiritual abyss in their souls. I don’t think most kids come into church because they want to play some game. Most come in because of relationships and because they are looking for some kind of meaning. We can use the Halo 3 conversation to connect them with the message of Jesus. I don’t judge the churches that use Halo 3 (the game) as an outreach. It seems to be one of those “meat sacrificed to idols” type of situations in Romans 14. But personally if I were a youth leader I don’t think I’d do it. But what I would do is engage the subject with teenagers. I’d find as many connection points with the gospel as I could. I think “those types of teenagers” would come to church for a healthy, vigorous discussion over Halo 3. They can play the game at home and have the discussion at church.

By the way, the Bible is a very violent book. From Cain and Abel on there is a lot of bloodshed in Scripture. It ends with Jesus coming back and stomping the grapes of wrath himself with the blood of a rebellious humanity, before he establishes everything new. I guess if the Bible were a video game it would be rated “A” for adults only.

I think Rev. Simpson is a good, well meaning guy who is sincerely concerned about violence in video games. My big thing is to stop “hacking at the leaves of evil” to take a swipe at the root. If we don’t bring it up with our teens we are missing the point big time!

]]> By: Janna - Laurel UMC Montana http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/comment-page-1/#comment-27503 Janna - Laurel UMC Montana Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:51:28 +0000 http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television#comment-27503 Got the video to run today! Thank goodness I did! I just wanted to hear more of what your reaction was to Reverend Simpson's take on Halo 3. Obviously, I heard what he had to say in a short couple of minutes, but just the fact that this man of God used the word "capitulation" (which I had to Google to find the meaning) is precisely why youth and teens are struggling to come to their ministers with this kind of discussion. I am struggling with connecting my youth with the pastor at our church because he communicates in a different language than most of my youth. That's really the point of this whole discussion! We have to reach the youth in a language they understand and if we can do so by digging into popular culture (movies, music & video games) than that is what we MUST do. I cannot come at a non-christian youth in my area with a cross and yell "REPENT of your sins or you are going to die!" but if I can engage in a discussion with them through the reality and the non-reality of death (bring on the Halo 3)...then that is what I am going to do. Okay...your turn Greg. I am interested to hear a little more of what you would say to people like Reverend Simpson. Got the video to run today! Thank goodness I did!
I just wanted to hear more of what your reaction was to Reverend Simpson’s take on Halo 3. Obviously, I heard what he had to say in a short couple of minutes, but just the fact that this man of God used the word “capitulation” (which I had to Google to find the meaning) is precisely why youth and teens are struggling to come to their ministers with this kind of discussion. I am struggling with connecting my youth with the pastor at our church because he communicates in a different language than most of my youth.
That’s really the point of this whole discussion! We have to reach the youth in a language they understand and if we can do so by digging into popular culture (movies, music & video games) than that is what we MUST do. I cannot come at a non-christian youth in my area with a cross and yell “REPENT of your sins or you are going to die!” but if I can engage in a discussion with them through the reality and the non-reality of death (bring on the Halo 3)…then that is what I am going to do.
Okay…your turn Greg. I am interested to hear a little more of what you would say to people like Reverend Simpson.

]]> By: Big Daddy http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/comment-page-1/#comment-27331 Big Daddy Sun, 14 Oct 2007 09:42:43 +0000 http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television#comment-27331 It was too bad the "pastor in purple" did not use some biblical references to support his stance. I would like some scriptural guidance before I can really "choose sides" if you will. This is a hard subject to broach, but well done Greg. Way to keep the focus on the Message, it all has to point to God. And I cant help but be reminded that Paul used this very tactic to reach out to the "pagans" of his own time. It is absolutely not about promoting of Halo and absolutely about how to win students for the kingdom and give the Christian students the courage and avenue to "engage" and "bring it up"! It was too bad the “pastor in purple” did not use some biblical references to support his stance. I would like some scriptural guidance before I can really “choose sides” if you will. This is a hard subject to broach, but well done Greg. Way to keep the focus on the Message, it all has to point to God. And I cant help but be reminded that Paul used this very tactic to reach out to the “pagans” of his own time. It is absolutely not about promoting of Halo and absolutely about how to win students for the kingdom and give the Christian students the courage and avenue to “engage” and “bring it up”!

]]> By: Ed http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/comment-page-1/#comment-27214 Ed Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:53:46 +0000 http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television#comment-27214 Kickball. Were you Greg "Oh I suppose we'll have to have him" Stier when they were picking in school? Kickball. Were you Greg “Oh I suppose we’ll have to have him” Stier when they were picking in school?

]]> By: RJRush http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/comment-page-1/#comment-26991 RJRush Fri, 12 Oct 2007 18:34:18 +0000 http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television#comment-26991 Greg, I think you did a great job presenting your point, and I agree with you wholeheartedly. The Soul Fuel topics and information are timely and clever. I always find the information D2S shares helps me to think about current topics differently. This helps me as a volunteer youth leader when discussing topics with our kids. Greg, I think you did a great job presenting your point, and I agree with you wholeheartedly. The Soul Fuel topics and information are timely and clever. I always find the information D2S shares helps me to think about current topics differently. This helps me as a volunteer youth leader when discussing topics with our kids.

]]> By: Becky http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television/comment-page-1/#comment-26891 Becky Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:41:39 +0000 http://www.gregstier.org/rants/gone-in-60-seconds-or-my-one-minute-of-fame-on-television#comment-26891 Your funny but real. Your funny but real.

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